A First In China

Tue, 2013-02-19 21:34

Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Center, the first dedicated business aviation maintenance facility to receive Chinese approval, is now the first such facility to obtain FAA Part 145 certification.

But it may be the last for some time since FAA is banned from issuing any new foreign Part 145 foreign repair station certifications until the Transportation Security Administration releases repair station security rules.

That ban has been in place since August 2008, but Shanghai Hawker Pacific began its application process in 2007 – before the cutoff deadline.

The approval becomes particularly important as more operators are basing U.S.-registered aircraft in the Asia Pacific region, which is still developing its support infrastructure.

"This certification marks the culmination of a sustained and persistent effort by the company to provide strong foundation for business aviation in China," says Carey Matthews, general manager of the Shanghai center. "There are a number of N-registered aircraft that are based in Asia that are regular clients of our facility."

The center completed the on-site FAA audit last month and received formal approval last week.